Basic Recipes Simple Modifications

I have had many people ask me what I make for dinner. As a personal trainer and mother on a budget I try to think of ways I can make things for my family so they are not so fattening. We don't eat out much, maybe 2-3 times a month. We very rarely eat fast food. That means I cook A LOT! I became a label reader a while back. You will find by making simple adjustments, you can make a big difference in your diet! If you have to ask yourself when the last time you ate fruit or vegetables was, there is a problem. It is fun to see what you can make with vegetables and fruits. I have to thank my husband for being so healthy food friendly. Let me just put it out there, I do make cookies a lot! I don't just eat healthy all the time. I am a human, but moderation is key. I am not reinventing the wheel here. I am making minor adjustments to it. Happy Cooking!

Friday, August 21, 2009

These would be good on the BBQ too. We have just been way to lazy to go and get propane.

1lb Ground Turkey( if you are using beef make sure it is super lean like in the 95% range or Bison is good too)1 Clove Garlic Chopped or pressed1/4c onion chopped1 egg2-3 Sticks of Celery or any other crunchy veggie1 apple peeled and chopped3-4 Mushrooms washed and chopped ( be sure to cut the stems off)A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce A few Dashes of Mrs Dash100% Whole Wheat Hamburger BunsSliced TomatoSliced Onion

Oven Fries Cut up Potatoes, carrots or sweet potatoes and brush with olive oil, add salt and pepper and cook at 400 for 15-20 minutes( got the idea from Eat this Not that book)

Add all together in a mixing bowl and form into patties, I cooked them in the oven in a casserole dish at 375 for 30 minutes or until brown. You can add any veggies you want to it, have fun and add things you wouldn't normally.

These rolls are so easy to make and they are to die for in the fresh rolls department! I also got this fabulous recipe from Janette (my sister the cooking queen), I through in a few added things to make it my own. It makes about 32, so I cut it in half and we have enough for a couple meals.

1. Add the yeast and 1tsp sugar to the 1/2c warm water and stir until dissolved, set aside for a few minutes until it doubles in size2. Warm milk in the microwave for 1 minute, Add milk, sugar, oil and Salt3.Add 2c Flour, Beat in eggs and then add yeast mixture4. Slowly mix in flour 2c at a time, using a spoon as needed to take from the sides. 5.Once all the flour is added, Cover the bowl and let it rise for 3 hrs( or out in the az summer sun for 1 hr) 6. Once the dough has risen considerably divide into 3 balls, roll out like a pizza and use a pizza cutter to cut it into triangles, the roll into cresant roll shape7. It says to let them rise in the cookie sheets for one more hour but I never do! I just cook them at 325 for 15-20 minutes. They won't turn brown unless they are burnt so depending on how your oven cooks you decide. I always choose an in between number because I want them cooked but soft. Enjoy

Who doesn't love home made Pizza? Ya that's right we all do, I got this recipe for pizza dough from my sister and we use it all the time, it is simple and yummy. I usually double this recipe and it will make a pizza that fits in a sided cookie sheet, we love pizza.

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir yeast into the warm water. Let stand fro 5 minutes until it is creamy. Stir in the olive oil and cold water.2. Add Flour; mix and then knead until well blended.3. Put in a gallon size ziploc bag( spray it with pam) then set on counter for 45 minutes to 1 hr or put outside in the warm weather for 20 minutes. When you are ready to cook it and it has risen significantly. Roll out dough or place in greased pan and press to the edges with your fingers until even and flat. Add toppings of your choice. Bake in the oven at 400 for 15-20 minutes There are so many ways you can personalize your pizza the sky is the limit!! We usually do the marinera instead of pizza sauce(high fructose corn syrup) and then use 100% Mozzarella cheese, Grated parmesian cheese and pepperoni. Sometimes, like this week for instance, I will do a chicken alfredo pizza.

Ranch DressingLittle fact: Did you know that ranch dressing has MSG in it? What is Msg? It is that mono sodium glutimate that makes you feel hungry a little bit after you eat. It is not super harmful, but what are you going to do when you are hungry? EAT AGAIN. Here is recipe for home made ranch that has natural ingredients. Don't we all feel good when we know exactly what it is we are eating?

I made this tonight and it was so good! It was thinner than your normal ranch but it was tasty! I mixed all the ingredients together and then whisked it to get it smooth.We are also having home made rolls, these are super yummy and easy to make. I will post that recipe later.

Monday, August 10, 2009

See we are human! I love costco meat balls! Preheat broiler for toasted rolls. I usually just add the meat balls and a little bit of water into a medium size sauce pan and cover on medium heat. Check on it until they are soft, drain the oil and water. Then add the marinara cook for a few more minutes. Put rolls on a cookie sheet and in the oven for about 4-5 minutes(watch them) Add the meat balls to the rolls, we add sliced cheese to ours

We are also having steamed broccoli with these! Gotta love the Ziploc Veggie Steam Bags! my kids like to add the nacho cheese popcorn salt to their veggies sometimes since" vegetables make Brexton's throat itch!" LOL

1 lb ground turkey ( are you starting to notice a trend? NO BEEF) 1 can Tomato Sauce ( READ THE LABEL does it have more than just tomatoes and herbs in it? if so put it back)1-2 tsp Garlic Powder1-2 Chili Powder1/4c Chopped Onion1 tsp Sea Salt1/2 tsp PepperOpt( diced peppers, jalepenos)Brown ground turkey in a skillet on medium heat. Add onions cook a minute or so until softened(not mushed) add tomato sauce and other ingredients. Turn heat down and cover for 5 minutes.Serve on 100% Whole Wheat Buns( READ THE LABEL: Do they contain high fructose corn syrup? if so put them back!)

Califlower Faux Mashed Potatoes1 head of steamed califlower salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If you want, you can add milk and a little bit of butter, but I thought it tasted ok with out. Don't get carried away with it! This is a healthy food. You will be surprised by the taste it is yummy!

Just by making the sloppy joes on my own with out the canned manwich sauce it saves a whole lot of sodium, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup! That crap is in everything.